Bill > HR5733

This bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for training community mental wellness workers, who are individuals certified to provide basic screening and evidence-based treatments for mild to moderate mental health and substance use disorders. The grants can be used to support training, certification, and supervision of these workers, covering costs like digital platforms for training, counseling interventions, and clinical supervision. Priority will be given to entities located in areas with high poverty, unemployment, substance use rates, or in medically underserved communities. The bill requires grant recipients to be eligible entities like certified community behavioral health clinics, community mental health centers, or hospitals, and mandates that these workers provide culturally and linguistically competent services that are responsive to individual characteristics such as gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status. The bill also provides legal protections for workers and requires the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress about the program's results. Funding of $25 million annually is authorized for fiscal years 2026-2030, with at least 20% reserved for training and technical assistance. The goal is to expand mental health support in communities with limited access to mental health resources.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5733/all-info